Charles to reignite steel furnace in industry ‘milestone’

Prince Charles is to mark a “major milestone” in the steel industry by formally reigniting a previously mothballed furnace.

The electric arc furnace at Liberty Speciality Steels in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was mothballed by previous owners during the steel crisis two-and-a-half years ago.

The restart on Friday is part of a multimillion-pound investment by the Liberty House Group, which is creating 300 jobs at Rotherham and its sister plant in Stocksbridge, Sheffield, as well as hundreds more across the country.

Sanjeev Gupta, executive chairman of the Liberty House Group, said: “Switching this furnace back on today, after it had lain idle for more than two years, is a pivotal moment in the revival of UK steelmaking and we are very pleased His Royal Highness is able to share this hugely symbolic milestone with us.

“The occasion makes a very powerful statement that steel does have a future in Britain and that is very good news for the whole of our manufacturing and engineering sector.”